One by one, they were dropping like flies it seemed. Fred Mason of Pasco had injured is ankle a few weeks prior to this years Fiasco in Pasco and would be unable to race. Just a few days before the big event, Mark Skiffington, also of Paso, sliced his ankle open resulting in several stitches which also forced him out of the race. Also, with Eric Vozza MIA, the top men’s field was significantly reduced. It would be another battle for first place between Kennewick’s Brian Schur and me. After a close finish at Rage in the Sage with 2nd place, it was time to even the standings.
Arriving early, as usual, I had plenty of time to set up transition, make any last minute adjustments to the bike and jump on my trainer for a 30 minute warm-up. The morning was warm with a slight breeze. As the race start approached, so did the gusty winds. With my disk rear wheel and HED-3 front, I was starting to get nervous. Glade Rd and N 4th Ave can be pretty dicey with the cross winds and two-lane traffic.
This course favors my abilities well and I was confident that I could catch Brian on the bike after he would, as in the past, out run me on the first leg. This would leave enough buffer between Brian and me on the second run to hold him off for the win. This confidence was quickly smothered after scanning the men’s field that morning: Jason Jablonski, of Wenatchee and Xterra world-champion, decided to pay us a friendly visit.
8:30 came and it was time to start. The first run was nothing surprising. The first mile and a half was a tight group of 4 - 5 runners including Brian, Jason, and me. From there, Brian started pulling away from me as well as Jason from Brian. By transition it, it was one by one heading out on the bike. Jason in first, Brian in second and myself in third. I had Brian in my sights right away with no sign of Jason. This was going to be a fight for second for sure.
It was time to put the hammer down. On the corner of Road 44 and Burden Blvd, about 3 miles into the bike leg, I was able to pass Brian. Taking advantage of the left turn, I powered through not holding anything back. After giving Brian a little "cheek", I dropped back into the aero position to fight the southwest winds. The long stretch of Burden Blvd allowed me to spot Jason. Like a dog chasing a cat (Irondog can attest), all I needed was a "wif" and the chase was on! About a 3rd of the way into the bike leg on Clark Rd I was able to real in Jason and go for the pass. It was now about putting distance on Jason I had any hopes of holding him off on the run so there was no letting up.
Turning south on Glade, my pace quickly diminished as the winds from the southwest would hold me back and try to force me into the traffic. Despite having to fight the cross winds, having a full aero set up helped as I continued to gain ground on Jason.
There was a special surprise waiting for us at Stearman Ave. Mark Skiffington, unable to race, volunteered to help direct racers around the sharp corner. It was this point he would reveal what most of us feared. I always knew there was something odd about Mark. Wearing only a Speedo, cape and large S on his chest, Mark revealed his true Identity.
Unable to race, Mark still wanted to participate and have fun. Putting all of us up to giving a little "cheek" he would feel the "love" from his fellow training buddies as he was stuck out on that corner. By now I was a little nervous. There was a cop pulling out just behind me as I made the corner past Mark. It was just the other day I was reading about a man arrested for indecent exposure. Well, you only live once. I gave more than a little "cheek", it was full on CRACK baby. Sweating, not from the race effort but from the cop following me, I continued to ride bearing more than my race number flapping on my race belt.
Arriving at transition (while knocking over the bike rack - sorry Andy) and finishing up the bike leg with more than a minute lead on Jason, I though, for a moment, that I might actually win this thing. Well, It wasn't 'til about a half mile to go, Jason caught me. It was on the final hill. I tried to hang on but it was no use. My legs were heavy from the work I had done on the bike. All in all, I was happy with my finish. Second place, 30 seconds behind Jason Jablonski, was not too shabby. Brian Schur filled in the overall standing with a strong 3rd place.
To sum up the women's results. Robyn Poulson of Richland took the win for a second year in a row... so far undefeated in the Three Rivers Multi-Sport Series. Sonia Tonnemaker of Moses Lake took second with Adrienne Farabee of Richland coming in 3rd for the overall standings.
Your humble race reporter,
Ryan Brown
